DENNINGTON and Allansford are jostling for victory in their first Warrnambool and District Cricket Association two-day match of the season. The Dogs are out to defend 188 with the Gators off to a flying start, sitting 0-41 at stumps. Dennington captain Zeb McCarthy, who made 28, said Damith Ginimala Dewage (49) and Dustin Drew (42) set the tone for the Dogs. “It was in the balance at 5-110 and good hitting from Dustin and Stui Brown towards the end got us to 188,” he said. “It’s pretty even. We’ll get Shannon Beks back bowling next week because he was unavailable this week. “It’s a massive week because a lot of teams are close on points on the table.” Allansford coach Ben Boyd echoed his counterpart’s sentiments. “It was going OK for us for a while,” he said. “We had them at the 50-over mark at 113 so they scored well in the last 15 overs.” Boyd believes weather could be a factor next week but is hoping the forecast is off the mark. “We’ll see the weather is and the wicket is prepared,” he said. “I think it’s meant to rain on Wednesday and Thursday. “But if the wicket is the same, we have 10 wickets up our sleeve so I’d like to think we’re a chance.”